Allegan County COVID cases pass 21,000
By John Raffel Correspondent ALLEGAN — The number of COVID-19 cases in Allegan County posted by health department officials coming into this week was up to 21,376. Deaths rose by eight from a week ago to 287. Governor Whitmer announced…
Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections
By Gari Voss The new district boundaries were approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) on December 28, 2021 in an 8 to 5 vote. This was the first time Michigan utilized an independent redistricting commission since the…
MI Supreme Court Appoints Kengis to Replace Bakker
By Gari Voss The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. The Allegan County decisions included the new appointment of the Honorable Roberts A. Kengis as chief justice of the 48 th Circuit Court,…
Obituary: Dennis Edward Orweller
Dennis Edward Orweller October 31, 1942 – January 1, 2022 Dennis Edward Orweller, 79, of Allegan, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dennis was…
Obituary: Eva Mae (Soughton) Belden
Eva Mae (Stoughton) Belden, 94, of Allegan, MI passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego. Born January 7, 1927 in Otsego, she was the daughter of the late Morris and Audrey (Edson) Stoughton. On July 4,…
Obituary: William Roger McPherson
McPherson, William Roger Otsego, MI PHOTO: AGE: 75 Family, friends, employees, and the manufacturing community grieve the loss of a wonderful man and a true pioneer in the bonded magnet industry. On the morning of January 5, 2022, William Roger McPherson…
Obituary: Dorla Jean Woodward
Dorla Jean Woodward – AGE 91 – Otsego, MI Watson Township On December 24, 2021, at the home of her beloved daughter, Glenda, Dorla Jean Woodward passed peacefully from this world. On January 24, 1930, the world welcomed Dorla Jean…
Obituary: Dianne M. Beck
BECK, Dianne M. Plainwell, MI PHOTO: yes AGE: 62 Dianne Marie Beck entered into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Sunday, January 2, 2022. She was born July 12, 1959 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Richard and Betty (Sutton) Nichols. On September…
Obituary: David L. Grochowalski Sr.
David L. Grochowalski Sr., age 87 of Wayland, passed away on December 24, 2021. He proudly served in Korea, earning the rank of Corporal, before being honorably discharged. He was a devoted “car guy” his entire life, eventually realizing his…
Mike’s Musings: Politicians Should Spend Time in Private Sector
Here’s a novel suggestion. Can we make it a requirement for those running for Congressional seats to spend a few years in the private sector?This idea was presented to me a few weeks ago, and the more I thought about…
Viewpoints: Life as Performance Art
I read with sheer delight Mr. Wilcox’s editorial of the 30th of December about the joys and benefits of living in a small town. I couldn’t agree more. I grew up in a city of about 30,000. After ordination I moved…
Letter to the Editor: Got a laugh out of picture
Dear Editor:I have to say I laughed and was very surprised that you used the picture of the fair againon 12-16-21. My 90 year old mother realized it was a photoshopped picture the first time you printed it. The man…
Letter to the Editor: Jordan is no Swift
Editor,It didn’t take long for publisher Mike Wilcox’s son, Jordan, to catch blow back from his essay advocating universal gun ownership as a solution to gun violence.Of course, it’s a silly idea but I wonder if that might have been…
Dean Perry “Gooch” Balgoyen
Dean Perry “Gooch” Balgoyen, 56, of Allegan, MI passed away Saturday,December 25, 2021. Born May 18, 1965 in Plainwell, he was the son of the lateDean Peter Balgoyen and Ruthie (Harrington) Balgoyen and was the husband ofBarbara (Smith) Balgoyen. Perry…
Gary W. Emmons
Gary W. EmmonsSeptember 24, 1948 – December 25, 2021 Gary W. Emmons, 73 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021at his home. Born September 24, 1948 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was the son of thelate Glen and Marjorie…
Alice M. Johnson
Alice M. Johnson passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at her home. Shewas born May 24, 1956 in Allegan; the daughter of the late Robert and Robenia(Burson) Johnson. The youngest of nine children, Alice was often referred to asthe “Baby”.…
Mary J. Knapp, 78
Mary J. Knapp passed away on December 27, 2021, at the age of 78. She was bornon November 24, 1943, to Orville and Beverly (Dewey) Hockett. Mary is survivedby her daughter Susan Knapp; her daughter-in-law Kelli Knapp; stepsons, AndyHitchcock, and…
Carol Ann Wiley, 71
Carol Ann Wiley, 71 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Allegan County Medical Care Community. Born May 2, 1950 in Plainwell, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Irvin and Ethel (Fletcher) Fuller…
William Carl Stuenkel, 74
William Carl (Bill) Stuenkel, age 74, of Hollywood FL, passed away on November 25, 2021.Bill Stuenkel was born on December 10th, 1946, in Allegan, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University as a Civil Engineer. He worked for American Bridge…
COVID cases, deaths continue to mount in county
By John RaffelCorrespondent ALLEGAN — The number of COVID-19 cases in Allegan County posted by health department officials coming into this week was up to 20,764. Deaths rose by eight from a week ago to 280.Governor Whitmer announced in June…
